Cornerback Orlando Scandrick survived an upbringing in the gang-infested neighborhoods of Los Angeles to become a star defensive player on the Dallas Cowboys.

Now he is trying to reach back and build bridges so other kids of inner city Los Angeles can have easier roads, through his 32Cares charitable foundation.

The foundation hosted “Professional Pathways the road to success,” a unique 2-hour presentation that engaged students in an interactive assembly style discussion. It featured Scandrick and Los Angeles Kings commentator Daryl Evans Friday afternoon at Markham Middle School in Los Angeles.

The event also featured a step performance by the school’s “Boys To Gentlemen” organization, established by Dean Rahh and LAPD officer Keith Linton, to empower inner city youth on the values of education, collective work, responsibility, and maturation.

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“I think it is important that we engage our youth in a way that is appealing to them, so that we can capitalize on that moment to drill home core values, and principles that are needed to succeed in any profession. The vision that we have for this annual event will allow us to develop a relationship with these students to help ensure a bright future,” Scandrick said.

This is only the beginning for Scandrick and 32Cares as they will attempt to make a similar imprint on youths in the Dallas-Fort Worth community in the coming months and years.